West Charlotte’s Quinten Thomas Is Stepping Into Greatness
By: Cam Carter
If you asked somebody who knew Quinten Thomas to explain him in one word they might have trouble. ‘Q,’ is his nickname to most, although if you know Q you know he has two sides to him on and off the court. The senior guard for the West Charlotte Lions is one of the most exuberant kids you would ever meet off the court, he is funny, keeps a bright joy in the room and always has a smile on his face. However once he hits that court, Thomas can become a downright killer. He started playing basketball in eighth grade and his skill caught up with his athleticism.
(BALL IS LIFE VANCE DUNK VIRAL)-> https://www.instagram.com/p/BuemuQGlx5e/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Thomas decided to transfer his senior year from rival Harding High School to Dub-C. “I wanted to graduate and spend my last year of High School with my close friends and family. Also during my three years at Harding I didn’t enjoy the vibe there.” The Charlotte native did not know much about his new teammates senior guard Cartier Jernigan and Patrick Williams coming into the season, only knew them from the past years as their rival.
“Before transferring, I didn’t know much about Pat or Cart at all I had just heard their names around and because we played them. During preseason workouts we began to talk more and build a bond together. For the most part it felt natural and easy to talk to them.”
Last season Thomas led Harding to an upset over West Charlotte 44-43 at Harding.
He had four huge points down the stretch, however held scoreless in the first half he took over defensively. First half he gathered three steals and two blocks. The night before against Anson High school, he put up 27 points, four assists, and five rebounds.
Thomas has been able to set the stage for his teammates with his motor on the court surpasses the intensity of the opposing team igniting not only his teammates but the faculty and West Charlotte supporters.
“My motor is natural ask anyone they’ll say ‘Q is always someone who you rarely see upset and always has tons of positive energy.” Almost everyone talks about the infamous ‘Q Clap.” He said his clap similar to his athleticism came natural. ‘When I first started playing basketball in 8th grade, the one clap was a natural celebration for me. As the years went on, the clap became more aggressive and louder. Similar to his playing style as he went into high school.
The first game of the season was an adjustment for Thomas playing in a primetime highly anticipated game against Cox Mill. “My first game against Cox Mill was kind of shaky,” Thomas said. “We all weren’t nearly as close together as we are now. Me being a transfer made it even more difficult because I didn’t know anyone on the team personally.”
Thomas finished with seven points, one rebound, and one assist. “The game overall was good, we didn’t come out with the win but it was a stepping stone in helping us realize what we needed to work on and chemistry was one of those main things.”
Another stepping stone was Thomas’ return to Harding early in the season.
“The day we played Harding, I was really pumped throughout the whole day. My thought process was to forget about what people were saying and lets get the dub,” Thomas said.
16 points (2-6 from three), 5 rebounds, and 3 assists is what Thomas finished with in a 70-59 win against the Rams. “I didn’t care about how many points I had or anything. I just treated it like a regular game.” Poise is something Thomas has built this season on.
The Lions have played against three nationally ranked teams this year. Ranney High, Oak Hill, and Norcross High. Each team had at least two highly touted recruits. Also participating in the John Wall invitational was another stepping stone in the season, that brought this team closer together. Finishing with a 2-1 record, while putting the state on notice.
Thomas story is so unique after dealing with the difficult passing of his father in 2002. “Everyday I wake up my dad is one of the first people I think about. My dad and my brothers on his side of the family are the main reason I play. Every game I play as if he in the stands for the first time and my goal is to make a great first impression.”
Stepping stones is what Thomas and the Lions have been feeding off of. Carrying a 25-6 record into the State championship they fell to nationally ranked South Central Falcons. Thomas will forever be known as one of the top dunkers in West Charlotte history and will make a basketball coach look very smart in 8 months.
